Post navigation

Old Highway 101 Bike Path Closures Scheduled August 6-8; 14-16

The bike path along Old Highway 101 will be closed from Las Pulgas Road to the fence line at the southern boundary of San Onofre State Beach during daylight hours this Monday (6th) through Wednesday(the 8th) and again Tuesday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 16.

The campground will be ride-able to the fence line. Riders heading further south should detour at Basilone.

The detour will require traveling on the shoulder of Interstate 5 from Basilone Road to Harbor Drive.

Be aware of rumble strips carefully hidden in the pavement. If there is an obstruction such as a vehicle on the shoulder, try and pass it on the right if possible. Passing on the left is dangerous and you could loose control crossing the rumble strips twice. Worst case, you may have to walk you bike off of the shoulder around the vehicle on the right. Oh, and there are snakes also! As scary as this may sound, it is actually a pleasant ride (except for the noise). The shoulders are wide and given that you will be riding the off and on ramps, you won’t really be on the freeway proper for too many miles. Don’t be surprised if you receive encouragement from motorists as they pass by. In fact, if traffic is backed up, you will be going faster them them!

Caltrans will open the shoulders along I-5 from Las Pulgas Road to Basilone Road to bicycles in order to provide an alternate route for bicyclists during the closures. Caltrans will place detour signs and signs advising bicyclists that they must exit at all off-ramps, weigh stations and vista points along the route to avoid the possibility of conflict with vehicle traffic. Once the bike path has reopened, the signs allowing bicycles along this stretch of freeway will be removed.

Here’s our helpful maps:

Cyclists Northbound:

Continue on 5-N from Harbor in Oceanside and use every off ramp through the rest area, Las Pulgas, and the inspection station (another rest area if you need it) to exit at Basilone to continue on the Pacific Route North into San Clemente.

Enter 5-N from Oceanside

Approx distance and Elev

Basilone Road

Exiting at Basilone, turn LEFT and cross over the freeway. The road will bend to the left and you will see a chain link fence with the bike path behind it on your right. Enter through the break in the fence, and continue north on the bike path which will “T” into Cristianitos road.

Cyclists Southbound:

Enter 5-S at Basilone and use every off ramp, at the weigh station, at the viewing area, at Las Pulgas, and at the rest area until you exit on Harbor Drive into Oceanside.

Basilone Road

Approx miles and Elev

Harbor Drive Exit

Beware of a “tire-catcher” storm grate which lies just to the right of the fog line on the off-ramp on Harbor Dr. There is room to safely pass it on the right if there’s not too much debris.

At the traffic light, a right turn will take you into the harbor, while going straight will put you onto the Pacific Coast Highway southward.